Asian Games 2026: What are the medals made of? Design, Concept, History — Explained
A look at the Asian Games 2026 medals. | Photo Credit: Asian Games website
A look at the Asian Games 2026 medals. | Photo Credit: Asian Games website
The 20th edition of the Asian Games are well and truly underway with medals already being won across disciplines.
India has won two medals in shooting on Sunday — both silver — with Suchika Tariyal also confirming another medal after reaching the MMA semifinals.
But what is the story behind the medals at the Aichi-Nagoya edition in Japan? Sportstar looks like the ideation, material, and the details surrounding the same:
Design concept
The design of the medals have been inspired by the Games slogan “Imagine One Asia”.
“The medal expresses the idea of coming together again through sport, represented through both its surface finish and form,” the official Asian Games website read.
Ceramic discs were broken during the ideation process till a “naturally appealing shape” emerged to form the medal’s design.
“The designer envisioned that athletes, too, have endured countless hardships and challenges on their journey to this moment,” the website added.
Who designed Asian Games 2026 medals?
The medals were designed by Daisuke Shiba (Representative Director, MERRY BEETLE Co., Ltd; Representative Director, TOGU General Incorporated Association).
Specifications of Asian Games 2026 medals
Dimensions
Diameter: 80 mm; Thickness: 5 mm
Weight/Material
Gold — Approx. 265 g; Pure silver plated with at least 1g of Gold
Silver — Approx. 264 g; Pure silver
Bronze — Approx. 222 g; Red brass (95 per cent copper, 5 per cent zinc)
The medals were designed by Daisuke Shiba. | Photo Credit: Asian Games website
The medals were designed by Daisuke Shiba. | Photo Credit: Asian Games website
How was the Asian Games 2026 design selected?
There was a competition which was open to students in the design field and individuals who have experience in the professional design field. A review committee selected the winning design.
Recycling involved
In order to promote Sustainable Development Goals, a part of the metals used for the medals was derived from small electronic devices donated by participating municipalities.
Asian Games 2026 medals ribbon
The ribbon carries the silhouette of the kakitsubata (Japanese iris), the official flower of Aichi Prefecture, along with sweeping arcs inspired by its leaves, as per the website.
Asian Games 2026 medals case
The case has an octagon-shaped figure, both inside and out.
“The character “八” (eight) was historically used in the emblem of the Owari Tokugawa family, which once ruled the region that is now Aichi Prefecture, and is also incorporated into the current emblem of Nagoya City,” the website explained.
The case has been made of Aichi-grown Japanese cypress (hinoki), a homage to the region’s long-standing tea ceremony culture where valuable tea utensils and treasures are traditionally stored in wooden boxes, the website added.
Published on Sep 20, 2026
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